Ricky Mitchell, 31

Ricky Leon (Lion) Mitchell, 31, of Mariners Harbor, a devoted and active member of his church who had many passions in life, died Tuesday at home of cancer.

Born in Mariners Harbor, Mr. Mitchell lived there for most of his life, except for two years that he lived in Port Richmond. He attended Port Richmond High School and the Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, Queens.

Mr. Mitchell worked as a transporter at Lily Pond Nursing Home, Arrochar.

He was passionate about flying, and knew a great deal about airplanes. He also enjoyed learning about fast, foreign cars, and he loved to play basketball.

He was a very active member of his church, the International Christian Center, Graniteville. He took part in the church’s men’s retreats, and their Saturday morning breakfasts.

Mr. Mitchell often donated to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where he received treatment. He also took part in studies there, searching for cancer cures, and contributed two articles to the cancer center’s “Visible Ink” anthology of work written by patients. Mr. Mitchell was also a member of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.

“Ricky impacted everyone who came into contact with him, with his gentle charismatic demeanor, his warm smile and his loving ways,” said his mother, Lori Johnson-Payne. “Most did not know of his condition, as he was always full of life and didn’t want pity.”

In addition to his mother, surviving are his father, Ricky Mitchell; his brothers, Seth Colson and Jalen Payne; his sister, Simone Colson; his paternal grandparents, Enrique and Bessie Baez, and his maternal grandmother, Jean Johnson.

Arrangements are being handled by the Stradford Funeral Home, Concord, with a 10 a.m. funeral service tomorrow at the International Christian Center. Burial will be Wednesday at Frederick Douglas Cemetery, Oakwood.